First Minister Carwyn Jones will make a new push for a constitutional convention to decide the UK’s future when he comes to Westminster today.

First Minister Carwyn Jones will make a new push for a constitutional convention to decide the UK’s future when he comes to Westminster today.

Hours after meeting with a cross-party group of MPs in the Assembly, he will go to London with his vision of a “new” UK.

The Welsh Labour leader wants the relationship between the devolved nations and the UK Government to be “reset”.

He is adamant that if new powers are given to the Scottish Government this must done as part of a discussion involving all parts of the UK.

The Bridgend AM is also concerned that in debates about the country’s future the “English voice has yet properly to be heard”.

In his Westminster speech, organised by the Unlock Democracy campaigning group, he will say: “Devolution is now the settled will of the Welsh people. In common with the vast majority of the people of Wales, I have no interest in independence for Wales.

“While Scotland’s constitutional future is a matter for the people of Scotland, Wales would enormously regret any decision by the Scots to opt for independence.”

Setting out the case for a constitutional convention, he will say: “Those of us who are committed to the UK cannot pretend that, if Scotland goes, the remaining truncated Union could simply carry on as before. So, rather than simply allow events in Scotland to unfold, and to react passively to whatever happens when it happens, I believe that political and civil society across the UK should be talking now about what kind of UK we want to see.

“If the Scots decide to stay within the UK, we know that there will be adjustments, by which I mean more powers, for the Scottish Parliament. Could that simply be a matter for discussion and agreement between the Scots and the UK Government, or should the other members of the UK club be involved?

“I believe that all parts of the UK should be involved in that discussion.”

He will further argue: “One major advantage of establishing a Convention is that it will enable a more specifically English contribution to the debate. The discussions in recent years on constitutional matters within the UK have been primarily, and perhaps disproportionately, about the governance of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“The English voice has yet properly to be heard. I certainly regret the lack of an English contribution so far, and urge that we find a way to rectify that.”

He said: “Carwyn’s approach seems rather disjointed and I’m not sure it’s a fully thought-through way of dealing with the problems that do now exist with the way the UK works.”

A Whitehall source said the proposal for a convention was “premature” and said the emphasis should be on persuading the people of Scotland to stay in the UK.

The source said it was “concerning” the First Minister gave the impression he was “running the white flag up the flagpole”.

Mr Jones will also officially open the Welsh Government’s London Office on Victoria St today.

He will say: “The office will create an important base for the Welsh Government, and businesses from Wales, to influence decision-makers in the foremost financial and commercial centre in the world. We are facing a tough and competitive market but we’re determined to do everything we can to get the message out there that Wales is the place to invest.”

Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards called on the first minister to demonstrate greater clarity in his proposals for a convention.

He said: “When dealing with the British establishment you must have a strong negotiating position and a clear idea about what you want to achieve. As we saw on Tuesday night, 90 Tory MPs and 25 Labour MPs voted against reforming the unelected House of Lords even though it was in their manifestos...

“They won’t change gladly, so the First Minister has to make it clear exactly what he wants for Wales from a convention. What powers that should remain reserved and which devolved.”

Mr Jones will face detailed questions from the Westminster Political and Constitutional Reform committee in the Assembly today.

In February, Mr Jones raised the prospect of a US-style Senate, saying: “One option could be for the House of Commons to be balanced by a new upper house with equal representation from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.”

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